1973 Mustang Engine Information – 302 cubic inch V-8 (4.9 L Windsor V8)
The Economical V8
The 302 cubic inch Windsor V8 engine continued to be available in the Mustang in 1973, little changed from the prior year engine. The 302 was still marketed as the “302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8, 2-barrel Autolite 2100” and was the base Mustang V8 engine. The Mustang also had the proden three-speed manual transmission as standard. Power was 141 hp with torque at 234 lb/ft.
Learn more about the Ford Mustang 302 engine
Engine Basics
| Year |
1973 |
| bbl |
2 barrel |
| Cylinders |
8 |
| Power (hp) |
141 hp @ 4,000 RPM |
| Torque (lb/ft) |
242 lb/ft @ 2,000 RPM |
| Compression |
8.5:1 |
| Displacement |
302 cu / 4.9 liters |
| Bore x Stroke |
4.000 x 3.00 |
Note: Automakers in the U.S. switched from gross to net power and torque ratings in 1972 (coinciding with the introduction of low-compression engines); thus, it is difficult to compare power and torque ratings between 1971 and future years.
Engine Specs (302 cid V8)
| Spark Plugs |
|
| Oil filter |
|
| Gas Filter |
|
| Air Filter |
|
| PCV |
|
| Oil |
5 quarts of 10W30 or 10W40 |
| Oil Pressure |
35 – 60 PSI |
| Points |
Gap and Dwell at xxx RPM |
| Timing |
6 Degrees BTDC Manual & 6 Degrees BTDC Automatic |
| Valve adjustment |
|
| Valve size |
|
| Valve arrangement |
R. Side I E I E I E I E Front to rear |
| Valve arrangement |
L. Side E I E I E I E I Front to rear |
| Manifold Vacuum |
18 inches at idle |
|
|
| Warm Idle Manual Trans |
575-600 RPM |
| Warm Idle Auto Trans |
475-500 RPM |
| Carburetor CFM |
|
| Bore and stroke |
4.00 X 3.0028 |
| Compression |
9.5:1 (155 – 199 psi @ cranking speed), 9.0:1 5.0L |
| Compression Pressure |
130-170 @ cranking speed |
| HP and Torque |
210 or 225 (HO) hp at 4400 RPM and 158 ft/lbs torque at 2400 RPM |
| Taxable HP |
51.2 |
| Distributor Rotation |
Counter Clockwise |
| Firing order |
Non H.O.’s = 1 – 5 – 4 – 2 – 6 – 3 – 7 – 8 |
Engine Torque Specifications
All torque specifications provided in this table are those recommended by FORD. If you use special bolts, follow the torque specifications provided by the manufacturer. I recommend that you use the 3 step torque technique where you torque down the bolts in three equal steps. Once you have reached the maximum recommended torque setting, go around one more time. Do not torque in a circular pattern. Always torque cross to cross.
| Head bolts |
65-70 |
| Crank cap bolts |
60-70 |
| Rod end caps |
19-24 |
| Intake bolts |
20-22 |
| Exhaust manifold bolts |
15-20 |
| Upper intake on EFI |
12-18 |
| Harmonic damper |
70-90 |
| A/C Compressor mounts |
|
| Engine fan |
|
| Motor mounts to engine |
85 |
| Bellhousing bolts |
|
| Trans to bellhousing |
25 |
| Flywheel to Crankshaft |
75-85 |
| Oil pan bolts |
7-9 |
| Valve cover bolts |
10 |
| Carburetor mount bolts |
|
| Oil pickup |
10-15 |
| Spark plugs |
|
| Oil pump mounting bolts |
22-32 |
| Trans. inspection plate |
|
| Water pump bolts |
15-22 |
| Clutch Pressure plate |
35 |
| Water Pump |
20 |
| Upper cam gear bolt |
40-45 |
| Rocker arm bolts |
18-25 |
| Camshaft thrust plate |
10 |
Crankshaft Bearing Journal Specifications (302)
Main Bearing Journal (inches)
| Journal Diameter |
2.2482 – 2.2490 |
| Oil Clearance |
0.0005- 0.0024 Except #1 bearing which is 0.001- 0.0018
|
| Shaft end play |
0.004 – 0.008 |
| Thrust on number |
3 |
Connecting Rod Journals
| Journal Diameter |
2.1228 – 2.1236 |
| Oil Clearance |
0.008 – 0.0026 |
| Side clearance |
0.003 – 0.010 |
Piston Ring Specifications (302)
Comp Ring Width
| Top |
0.077 – 0.078 |
| Bottom |
0.077 – 0.078 |
Ring side clearance
| Top |
0.002 – 0.004 |
| Bottom |
0.002 – 0.004 |
| Oil ring |
Snug |
Ring gap width
| Top |
0.010 – 0.020 |
| Bottom |
0.010 – 0.020 |
| Oil Ring |
0.015 – 0.069 |
Piston Specifications
|
302 |
| Code Red |
3.9984 – 3.3990 |
| Code Blue |
3.9996 – 4.0002 |
| 0.003 Oversize |
4.0008 – 4.0014 |
| Piston to Cyl. Bore clearance |
0.0018 – 0.0026 |
| Piston Pin Bore Dia. |
0.9123 – 0.9126 |
Valve Specifications
| Year |
1972 |
| Seat angle |
45 |
| Face angle |
44 |
| Valve spring pressure lbs/inches |
200 @ 1.22 |
| Valve spring installed height (in) |
1 9/16 |
| Stem guide clearance (in) – Intake |
0.0010 – 0.0027 |
| Stem guide clearance (in) – Exhaust |
0.0015 – 0.0032 |
| Stem Diameter (in) – Intake |
0.3420 |
| Stem Diameter (in) – Exhaust |
0.3415 |
Tune Up Specs
| Year |
1972 “F” Code |
| Spark Plug |
Autolite BRF-42 |
| Plug Gap |
.032″-.036″ |
| Dwell |
24-29 (manual), 26-31 (automatic)
|
| Point Gap |
.017″-.021″ |
| Intake |
1.773″-1.788″ |
| Exhaust |
1.442″-1.457″ |
| Carburetor |
Autolite 2300-A (2V) Automatic choke
|
